Jones County Man Sentenced For Dog Fighting

A man facing 28 dog fighting and animal cruelty charges was found guilty Wednesday on several of the felonies.

Brian Tucker is one of two men arrested in August 2011 for dog fighting. Authorities had to rescue almost 50 dogs in two counties. He was found guilty Wednesday in Jones County Court on all 5 felony dog fighting counts.The judge sentenced Tucker to between 24 and 32 months in prison. He will be on supervised probation for three years after that.

Tucker had already pleaded guilty before the trial to 12 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and 2 other misdemeanors.

Previous Story

A Jones County man appeared before a judge Friday to face 28 dog fighting and animal cruelty charges.

Brian Tucker of Pollocksville was one of two men arrested earlier this month in cases where authorities rescued almost 50 dogs in two counties. Cody Ushry, Jr. of Alliance was also scheduled to go before a judge in Pamlico County.

Authorities in Pamlico County were investigating Ushry's alleged dog fighting activities when they learned of Tucker also possibly being involved. Thirty pit bulls were taken from Tucker's home and 17 from Ushry.

Tucker faces five counts of dog fighting, 12 counts of cruelty to animals and 11 counts of restraining a dog in a cruel manner. A judge Friday appointed the man an attorney and set October 28th for a preliminary hearing. He is out on a $36,500 bond.

Previous Story

Two men are due in court after authorities rescued almost 50 dogs that they say were intended for fighting.

The Daily News of Jacksonville reported that 62-year-old Cody Ushry Jr. of Alliance and 25-year-old Brian Devon Tucker of Pollocksville are scheduled for their first court appearances Friday.

Authorities in Pamlico and Jones counties say the two were partners in a kennel business. Ushry faces one felony count each of cruelty to animals and dog fighting, while Tucker is charged with 23 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Each man is out on bond.

Authorities say 30 pit bulls were taken from Tucker's home and 17 from Ushry. It wasn't known if the men have attorneys, and no one answered a number for the kennel.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.